Indian-tobacco
General poisoning notes:
Indian-tobacco (Lobelia inflata) is a herb native to Canada. In the past, aboriginal people smoked its dried leaves. This plant and related Lobelia species were used as medicinal plants. Overdoses led to cases of poisoning, which resulted in fatalities. No modern cases of poisoning are found in the literature. The dried leaves of Lobelia may be found in health food stores as a herbal medicine (Lampe and McCann 1985).
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Lobelia inflata L.
Vernacular name(s): Indian-tobacco
Scientific family name: Campanulaceae
Vernacular family name: bellflower
Lobelia inflata L.
Geographic Information
British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec.
Toxic parts:
Leaves, stems.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Lobeline is one of several alkaloids found in Indian-tobacco and other Lobelia species. This extract has been used in home medicine for various purposes. Overdoses have resulted in cases of poisoning, including death. The dry leaves of Lobeliamay be sold in health food stores as a herbal remedy.
Toxic plant chemicals:
Lobeline.
Lobeline
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
Collapse, coma, death, pain, paralysis, sweating, vomiting.
Notes on poisoning:
In overdoses of the plant extract, symptoms included vomiting, sweating, pain, paralysis, depressed temperature, rapid but feeble pulse, coma, and death (Kingsbury 1964).
